Date 15th December 2019

Sedgley Park U16s vs Bolton U16's
Sedgley 7 : 37 Bolton
Lancashire Cup
Away
Weather: Cold and Soft underfoot but warming up and drying out

Final Score Sedgley Park 7 : 37 Bolton

Tries:
Jenkinson x 1
McDermot x 2
McDowell x2
Price x 2,
Conversions: Price x 1

Team:
Barnett, M
Carrol, H
Dainty, M
DeMullet, J
Entwistle, O
Glynn, M
Holt-Gregson, F
Hope-Barry, L
Jenkinson, T
Keogh, O
Mallevialle, B
McDermott, H
McDowell, S
Milton, C
Price, B
Singleton, L
Taylor, L
Welling, N
Whittle, C

AKA The front row showed us how to play

It had rained constantly for a week so I was surprised when the call came through to say that the match was still on at Sedgley Park but was pleased that the team would get it run out before Christmas. the pitch was soft with some small patches of standing water but as the day went on it dried out a bit and and warmed up. The match was played at a high pace and so it was not much time for people to get very cold.

From the kick-off Sedgley seemed to have the better of play with strong running of the centre of the field and recycling the ball. However it didn't take long for Keogh to spot an opportunity to strip the ball in the tackle. With the ball loose Tom Jenkinson picked the ball up and from 40 yards out there was no stopping the hooker scoring a well-deserved try. This set the tone for the rest of the match really, in that Sedgley were unable to string long passages of play together or make a lot of ground due to Bolton’s aggressive defence. Four more tries for Bolton before half-time sealed the match. A brace from tries by Ben Price who was able to carve a line through the Sedgley defence with his trademark swerving runs and side steps. The forwards set piece worked well, accurate throws from Tom and Freddie being lifted gave us good ball and the scrums were steady against a heavier pack. Harry Mc carried strongly in the mid field and scored his first try of the match when a scrum against the head caught everyone by surprise except him. He changed the direction of play to the blind side and a simple pass from Sam Mc put him into the corner.
Sedgley worked hard throughout the match and capitalised on a Bolton mistake in the back field following a kick into our 22m and scored their well deserved try that they converted.
Having done most of the work to allow the backs to score tries it was fitting that the last play of the first half saw the forwards take a lineout cleanly, form a maul, get the ball to the back and then drive over the Sedgley line. Sam Mc scored it but it was definitely a forwards try. (Sometimes they do listen in training).
This made the first half score 7:27 to Bolton

The second half continued with mistakes from both sides but Bolton seemed to take more advantage of the situation. Bolton’s aim was to get more structured play from the breakdowns and when they did Tom, Jack and Owen consistently made it over the gain line. Owen, in only his 2nd competitive match for Bolton was incredibly strong, and mobile brushing off tackles with his hand off and often leaving his team mates yards behind him watching in awe.
Bolton scored 2 more tries with Sam Mc and Harry McDermott securing their brace of tries. The match was called early due to the points difference injuries to Sedgley.

On a cold December morning it didn’t feel as bad when we were able to watch 35 lads having run about on a Sunday morning enjoying themselves.

Thanks to Sedgley Park for a great atmosphere and hospitality